What say you, Ishbel?
I found this writeup on CBC rather funny and thought that I would share. "The poor old Queen" has seen some interesting guests on state visits so Trump should be no different. It is the speed with which the invite came that has troubled the public, it seems. Usually state visits happen after a couple of years. Enjoy a chuckle.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/donald-...ueen-1.3990696
Quotes:
But it has inspired much more than raised eyebrows: protests, petitions, a move to sack the Speaker of the House of Commons and a police warning the visit could require thousands of officers on the streets.
The crown jewel of official visits is a highly coveted affair. There is no higher honour for a visiting head of state.
And so, for the critics here, there is no higher offence than offering one to Donald Trump.
The government, however, has ruled out a recall. It says Trump has accepted the invitation delivered last month in Washington by Prime Minister Theresa May on behalf of the Queen (of course, on the advice of the government). The quicker-than-usual invitation "reflects the importance of the relationship," it said in a statement.
Critics are unconvinced.
"You don't normally invite somebody 'round for Christmas with your relatives the first time you meet them," Chris Bryant, a Labour MP and former minister who once oversaw state visits, said in an interview.
"Because we're leaving the EU, [Theresa May] is desperate for friends.…
Several reports here have suggested the visit has been shifted to later in the year to ensure it happens while Parliament is on break – to save face.
There have also been reports Trump might spend more time outside London than the average visitor. Neither could be independently confirmed.
A petition before the House of Commons today seeks to put a moratorium on a Trump state visit throughout his term, because having one would "cause embarrassment to Her Majesty the Queen." It does not object to normal, run-of-the-mill visits.
Any petition signed by 100,000 people is automatically referred for a Commons debate (though not usually a vote).
This one attracted 1.85 million.
The Queen has seen 109 state visits in her 65 years on the throne, including from controversial figures ranging from Zimbabwe's Robert Mugabe, to Indonesia's Suharto, to Italy's Silvio Berlusconi.
The petition was submitted by one Graham Guest, of Leeds, who later told the Independent newspaper that it was "a very incongruous thing, for this man, with all of the things he's said," to be photographed with the "poor old Queen."
Bryant, the Labour MP, says despite his opposition to the visit it isn't the Queen he's worried about.
"The Queen's pretty robust," he said.
"She's met some dodgy figures over the years